Bulls struggling from 3-point land

Coach Tom Thibodeau hasn't liked what he has seen when the Bulls shoot from beyond the arc. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Tribune Photo)

Thursday night would be a good time for the Chicago Bulls to improve their league-worst 3-point percentage.

With the high-scoring Oklahoma City Thunder in town for a high-profile matchup, the Bulls know they need to start connecting more from beyond the arc. Their 26.2 percentage ranks last in the NBA.

"I guess the way we’ve shot the 3 so far, there’s only one way to go," coach Tom Thibodeau said.

The Bulls rank 14th in scoring at 97.2 points per game. If the Bulls can start sinking 3-pointers with more regularity, that average would rise.

"There’s a lot we’ve done well," Thibodeau said. "The ball is moving. We’ve been getting to the free-throw line. I’d like to score more. I think we’re moving in the right direction. Taking care of the ball, we’ve improved in that area. Ball and player movement has been good."

Thibodeau also pointed out the Bulls aren't forcing shots. They've attempted just 42 3-pointers through four games.

"We’re being smart about it," Thibodeau said. "We’re not taking a lot of them because I don’t think they’ve presented themselves. I know Lu (Deng) is a very good 3-point shooter. Marco (Belinelli) can hit the three. Kirk (Hinrich) can hit the three. Nate (Robinson) can hit the three. So we definitely have guys who are capable."

As for the Thunder, Thibodeau got asked if Joakim Noah would start on Serge Ibaka, who has expanded his range. That's the way the Bulls began their exhibition game against the Thunder, with Carlos Boozer checking Kendrick Perkins and Deng on Kevin Durant.